Terry Myerson, head of Microsoft's operating systems unit, asked HTC last month to load Windows Phone as a second option on handsets with Google's rival software, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Myerson discussed cutting or eliminating the license fee to make the idea more attractive, the people said. The talks are preliminary and no decision has been made, two people said.

I hope HTC and every other Android OEM flips Microsoft the bird. The shoe's on the other foot now, Redmond.

Dual boot Android/WP8 on the One would make me scrape up the cash to buy it in a heartbeat. Android for work, WP8 for everything else. That would be my dream phone; I do enjoy Android (Sense warts and all) on my One S, but WP8 on this form factor would be digital heaven.